Breeding only on remote Alaskan tundra, Bristle-thighed Curlews fly nonstop to nonbreeding grounds on islands in the tropical Pacific. A versatile forager, this species feeds on terrestrial and marine invertebrates, berries, seabird eggs, lizards and more.

The bristle-thighed curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) is a medium-sized shorebird that breeds in Alaska and winters on tropical Pacific islands.

It was discovered wintering on South Pacific islands in 1769, but its nesting grounds were not found until almost 180 years later -- in the late 1940s. It is now known to nest in a few hilly areas of western Alaska. During the winter, molting its feathers, it is unable to fly for a time -- the only shorebird known to have a flightless molt.

Breeding only on remote Alaskan tundra, Bristle-thighed Curlews fly nonstop to nonbreeding grounds on islands in the tropical Pacific. A versatile forager, this species feeds on terrestrial and marine invertebrates, berries, seabird eggs, lizards and more.

A large shorebird with a long, curved bill. Similar to Whimbrel but warmer brown and with a cinnamon-colored rump. The bristly feathers on the upper legs are visible at close range. Breeds in upland tundra; during the nonbreeding season occurs in wetlands, sand dunes, rocky shores, pastures, and golf courses.

Mar 4, 2020 · In its biology and behavior, the Bristle-thighed Curlew is one of the most unusual of all shorebirds. It is the only migratory shorebird that winters exclusively on oceanic islands and the only shorebird known to become flightless during molt and to use tools when foraging.

Breeding only on remote Alaskan tundra, Bristle-thighed Curlews fly nonstop to nonbreeding grounds on islands in the tropical Pacific. A versatile forager, this species feeds on terrestrial and marine invertebrates, berries, seabird eggs, lizards and more.

The bristle-thighed curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) is a medium-sized shorebird that breeds in Alaska and winters on tropical Pacific islands. It has a long, decurved bill and bristled feathers at the base of the legs.

SPECIES INFORMATION: Kioea, or Bristle-thighed curlews, are large-bodied shorebirds (Family: Scolopacidae) that twice annually make a nonstop migration of at least 4,000 kilometers (2,480 miles) between Hawai‘ i and Alaska.

The Bristle-Thighed Curlew (Numenius tahitiensis), called Te'ue in Tahitian, is a unique shorebird that stands out for some surprising behaviors. This bird is named for its bare shafted thigh feathers and has a long, curved beak and caramel coloring that blends in perfectly with the tundra where it breeds in two areas near the Yukon river in ...